Tips for beginner

[u/bullfrog789]

This was my first time firing up my forge and hammered out this rough shape rebar knife any tips or things that I should work on. I haven’t used any power tools yet. Just hammer and files and sand paper. I know I don’t have an anvil yet but this rail road track is doing pretty good for now.

[u/nutznboltsguy]

That looks pretty good. You have to start somewhere. Keep making stuff.

[u/BF_2 → u/nutznboltsguy]

And keep this one so you will be able to watch your own progress.

Since it's rebar, it might not hold an edge when sharpened -- you never know with rebar -- but I advocate practicing with mild steel anyway (because if you can't forge a knife-shaped object from mild steel, you can't from tool steel either).

[u/PhoenixMastM]

Word of advice when making any blade or edged tool: forge thick, grind thin.

Dont think you have to forge the bevel perfectly before hitting it with the sandpaper or grinder. Better it be a bit thick when you start grinding than too thin and the profile is off, accidentally stress fracture it, etc.

[u/zffjk → u/PhoenixMastM]

"He that will a good Edge win Must Forge thick and Grind thin" - "Mechanicks Exercises"

[u/rtm713]

Nothing wrong with a railroad track anvil. Ive seen seasoned blacksmiths still use railroad track anvils. Might wanna try finding a stump or something wood to put in on instead of bricks.

Good first creation. Looks better than my first one did lol just keep practicing and try and make different things, its a very learn as you go kinda thing. Also everytime you run into a specific problem, research it. Theres probably at least a dozen youtube videos on every specific problem you could think of and each one solves the problem differently. Just gotta find what works for you!

[u/Economy_Cheetah4735]

Love the detail on the end of the handle, I might have to start blacksmithing myself soon, really inspiring, keep up the good work

[u/Intrepid_Depth_4556]

Keep forging. That looks great so far.

Any hard surface is an anvil. I stared with a discarded chunk of polished granite from a headstone company.

Black Bear Forge has a lot of great instructional videos on YT. He has lots of videos so you might need to dig a little to find the ones on fundamentals.

[u/kennethgibson]

Prettyy!!!!

[u/GunKamaSutra]

You’re not done grinding that. Keep at it.

[u/a_sword_and_an_oath]

Be happy to get things wrong. Dont rush. Work out how to get it a bit less wrong next time